Texas Governor. Born into a well-to-do family in Bell County, Texas, she attended Salado College and Baylor Female College, and married James Edward (Jim) Ferguson in 1899. Her husband served as State Governor for two terms, but was impeached during his second term and was barred from running for office again. The bank he had started had failed due to mismanagement during his absence, and his wife's inheritance was gone, so they moved to Bosque County, Texas, almost penniless. They sold eggs and butter to attempt to make ends meet. In 1924, Jim Ferguson decided that Miriam should run for Governor under the nickname "Ma" so as to appeal to the average person. She won the election and served from 1925 to 1927. The Fergusons' campaign slogan was "Two governors for the price of one". Many felt she issued too many pardons and she lost her bid for re-election in 1930, but she ran again in 1932 and won, serving from 1933 to 1935. Ferguson continued issuing pardons; however, since it was saving the State money, her detractors were silent. After a few years away from politics she ran for Governor again in 1940, when she was 65 years of age, but lost in the primary. She outlived her husband by 17 years and was buried next to him in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. (bio by: H M G)